‘About time,’ I mumbled.
As much as I loved Christmas, I hated the weather that January and February brought.I was over grey skies and drizzling rain.It was early April and, finally, we were blessed with some decent weather.And I was excited to see it on these hikes up mountains and across fields in the Peaks.
‘Okay, I’m ready,’ I beamed, my backpack on and my shoes tied.‘Are you and the girls?’
‘Girls.’ With a weird undertone, Claire repeated, ‘Yes, thegirlsare all ready.’
‘Okay then, let’s go.’
‘Lydia, before we go—’
‘Come on, I’m already late.’ I shooed Claire out of my room, locking the door behind me.
‘Wait a second—’
‘Let’s walk and talk.’
I strode down the corridor, a renewed excitement bubbling in my arms and legs.As we wove through the pub and on to the gravel carpark, I noticed the girls had convened on the grass outside the main hotel building, with a gorgeous view of the peaks behind them.The morning smelled like spring and promise – grass, moss, and fresh air.I drew in a deep breath, closing my eyes as if I was in a film.
Yes. I was the main character today.
‘Lydia, would you slow down?’ Claire complained, on my heels.‘I need to talk to you.’
The girls were laughing – no, giggling.They were giggling.
‘What are they laughing at?’ I frowned.
‘Well, I tried to tell you—’
‘Tried to tell me what—’
Amy moved out of the way and I saw exactly what – or who – was making the commotion.Dark brown eyes snapped to mine like magnets.
Ren stood in the centre of Amy, Genevieve and the other ladies.Amara and Jade were crouched in front of a little golden dog that looked like a golden retriever crossed with a corgi, fussing over her.My heart began to pound, my head a little dizzy.
Ren wore a casual, lazy smirk that dropped an inch when he saw me standing there.His eyes flickered around me, like he was scanning my outfit.He wore all black.Black walking trousers, jumper, backpack, and black and green walking boots.His hair was coiffed perfectly, and the wind was his biggest fan as it ran through it.He was dressed to walk.To hike.But he couldn’t be onourwalk.There was no way.
‘Ren.’
I hated the way my words sounded raspy.
‘Ah, so you’ve met Ren.’ The programme manager, Mandy, came striding over to the green, smiling.‘He’s a last-minute addition, but I didn’t think you ladies would mind another camper.Especially since he told me he’s a professional bartender and has his travel cocktail shaker with him.’
Mandy delivered the news as if we’d won the lottery.Jade grinned, nudging Freya, and Amara was smiling softly, but her eyes were shifting between Ren and me, as if she noticed the energy shift.
But all I could focus on was one word.
Camper.
He was going to camp with us.
‘He can’t come with us,’ I blurted out.
Ren’s eyebrows shot up.The golden dog stopped panting, its eyebrows quirking.Do dogs even have eyebrows?Well, this one did.And it looked forlorn, as if they’d picked up on the words.The girls – my girls – looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and concern.
The smile I plastered on teetered on manic.
‘It’s called “Wild Women Walk”,’ I gave a fake, rich laugh.‘Not “Wild Women Walk with a Man”.’
